NEW YORK — The end of the match after 4 hours and 38 minutes of battle produced a dramatic image: Alex Michelsen breaking down in tears, held by Frances Tiafoe.
The two North Americans embraced at the net after Tiafoe’s 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 and 7-6 (10-6) victory, and while the Halle ATP 500 champion gave Michelsen words of encouragement, the 22-year-old sobbed inconsolably on his colleague and friend’s shoulder. He then left the court covered with a towel, trying to digest the painful defeat.
Michelsen, playing his first Grand Slam quarterfinal having not dropped a single set in the tournament, squandered a two-set lead and a break advantage in the third. He served for the match and could not handle the pressure: two double faults and an unforced error.
Tiafoe admitted what he was thinking before he began to receive in that game: “I hope he gets tight!” His wishes came true.
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“Everyone was sleeping the first couple of hours! I took the third set and started finding my rhythm. I appreciate the support, even though it was a match between two Americans,” said the 28-year-old, who will play his third semifinal in New York this Friday. He will face the winner of the match between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz.
Michelsen’s frustration also stemmed from failing to convert a break advantage in the deciding set.
No non-European player has won a Grand Slam in 17 years. The last was Argentine Juan Martín del Potro, in New York, in September 2009. Tiafoe wants to end Europe’s dominance at the event he loves most.
His strong US Open campaign will lift him to at least eighth in the rankings — the best position of his career.
